THE future of Deepcut barracks came under the spotlight this week when Surrey Heath MP Michael Gove called on the government to come clean about its plans for the site.

Mr Gove was responding to fears the MoD wants to sell off the barracks and land adjoining it for a major housing development with up to 5,000 homes.

The News has reported how the Liberal Democrat leader at Surrey Heath Borough Council, Cllr David Whitcroft, said the potential scale of the 120-hectare site was enough to build a mini-town the size of Frimley, Heatherside and Lightwater.

Since the MoD announced the Princess Royal Barracks was one of several training sites under review, and damaging publicity concern-ing the deaths of four soldiers there, speculation has been growing that the site could close.

Following talks with the MoD Mr Gove has written to Defence Secretary John Reid asking him to be transparent about what the government intends to do.

Although the MoD reassured him soldiers would remain at Deepcut until 2012 he believes there is still cause for concern.

He said: “Because of the general confusion over the site I have written a letter to the Secretary of State, John Reid, asking him for clarity.

“I want to know what the plans are for the site if (as a result of the Defence Training Review) the Royal Logistic Corps are moved — what proportion of the site will be sold off, and the timescale?”

Mr Gove said any plans to develop the area would have to go through the planning process at the borough council and become part of the Local Plan. He said plans for development were a long way off but if the site were given the go-ahead he would seek to ensure it was carried out sensitively, with the necessary infrastructure and in accord-ance with local people’s wishes.

Documents previously seen by the News said the land agent for the MoD, Defence Estates, was in discussion with the South-East England Regional Assembly over the site’s potential contribution to housing targets in the south-east. It also wants the Surrey Heath Local Development Framework (LDF) to include Deepcut as a suitable settle-ment for “major development”.

Cllr Whitcroft welcomed Mr Gove’s involvement and said he hoped they could work together to ensure a satisfactory outcome, but said he remained sceptical about the MoD’s intentions.

“They (the MoD) have not categorically come out and denied the plans,” he said.

“It’s obvious that if the Army has to choose between selling off land in Deepcut and other parts of the country it’s going to be leafy Surrey.”

In a statement, Surrey Heath Borough Council confirmed the MoD had asked it to extend the settlement area of Deepcut.

It read: “At this time the council does not know if the MoD will release Deepcut barracks for development. No indication has been given of the type or amount of development that could take place. The MoD letter will be discussed by the council at a meeting later this year as part of the work on the LDF.”

A spokesman for the MoD denied any decisions had been made on the future of Deepcut barracks. He said: “Deepcut is not surplus to requirements and no ministerial decision has been taken to close it.”

He said the results of the Defence Training Review, to determine the future of the Army training sites, are anticipated at the end of the year. The MoD is only looking at options for developing the site now because Surrey Heath Borough Council is drawing up its Local Plan (projected until 2016), he said.

He added that before the Army decided to sell land it would consider whether it could be used by itself, Defence Estates or the government for other purposes.